10 New WWE Directions After Extreme Rules 2017

7. Rebuilding Bayley

Samoa Joe Bray Wyatt Seth Rollins Finn Balor
WWE.com

WWE have done a tremendous hatchet job with Bayley on the main roster. The former Raw Women’s Championship has gone from plucky underdog to cringe-worthy tryhard, and her popularity is tumbling. Once one of WWE’s most inherently likeable performers, Bayley was met with widescale indifference from last night’s crowd, and the villainous Alexa Bliss drew a considerably larger pop.

With her credibility shot to pieces, Bayley is in dire need of a rebuild. She’s too damaged to continue in a Women’s Title feud, and her presence is only dragging the belt down at this point. Thus, she should be shifted into a lesser feud further down the card, with WWE focusing on restoring her waning overness so that she can eventually return to the spotlight in the future.

Nia Jax makes sense as an opponent. WWE have done the match plenty of times before, but having a foe as dominant as Jax push Bayley around for a few weeks should help restore her sympathy. Showing spirit and determination against the division’s resident monster will allow Bayley to recover her lost confidence, and a big win shall help propel her back to the top.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.